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| The Asthma Education Centre Opens |
Dr. Patrick A. Gill
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On December 19,
1997 our new Asthma Education Centre, named in honour of the late Dr.
Patrick Gill, was officially opened.
We offer unique one-on-one teaching and support to people
with asthma and their families.
Estimates suggest that between 5 andf 10% of adults have asthma,
and that one out of five children will be diagnosed with asthma.
The Asthma Education Centre will serve all ages.
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"Each year there are over 900 emergency room visits (at the Queen Elizabeth
Hospital) related to asthma," said the Honourable Mildred Dover, Minister
of Health and Social Services.
"We expect the teaching offered by the Dr. Patrick Gill Asthma Education
Centre will result in a reduction of these visits by one-third to one-half."
Similar education programs in other parts of Canada have shown that
educating people about what triggers their asthma, how to avoid those
triggers and how to administer asthma medications properly can have
significant results.
"Education of clients with asthma, and their families, will have a significant
impact on Prince Edward Island," said Dan Fenety, Vice President, Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) PEI."Through the Knowledge Economy
Partnership, the collaboration of federal and provincial governments
with health care practitioners, clients, community and private enterprise
is effectively making a difference."
A recent study of 13 of the longest operating asthma education centres
in the country has shown positive results. Following the introduction
of asthma teaching, there was a decrease in hospital admissions related
to asthma teaching, there was a decrease in the hospital admissions
related to asthma by 81%, a decrease in the length of hospital stays
by 89% (from 233 to just 25 days) and the number of emergency room visits
for asthma dropped by 79%. The same study
showed the number of days missed from work due to asthma dropped by
80%.
The Asthma Education Centre, located at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital,
was established with funding from the joint federal-provincial government
initiative known as the Knowledge Economy Partnership (KEP) and a special
project fund of Queens Region Health. Additional financial support is
being provided by corporate pharmaceutical sponsors. GlaxcoWellcome
and Astra Pharma have provided operational funds plus significant in-kind
sponsorship. Other sponsors include the PEI Lung Association and the
University of Prince Edward Island School of Nursing.
The Centre employs a registered nurse and a respiratory therapist who
work with clients and their physicians to develop and monitor a personalized
asthma management program for the client to follow. The Centre also
employs a secretary to coordinate appointments, and input statistical
data using a specialized computer software program designed and providerd
at no cost to the Centre by GlaxcoWellcome.
The Centre serves people with asthma of all ages who live in the Queens
County Health area. Funding will continue until March 1998. An evaluation
is then expected to take place to determine if the program is meeting
its goals to enhance the health of clients and achieving fewer emergency
room visits and hospital stays.
Participation in the education program offered by the Dr. Patrick Gill
Asthma Education Centre is voluntary; but to receive services, clients
must be referred by either a family or specialist physician or through
an evening clinic or emergency room physician.
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For more related information:
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Knowledge Economy Partnership
"As the world economy moves into the Information Age, governments,
private sector businesses, and individuals are experiencing marked
changes in the way in which they live, work and do business. Knowledge
has become the currency of success and technology is fast becoming
an indispensable tool necessary to enable its timely acquisition..."
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Department of Health and Social Services
Home page of Prince
Edward Island's Department of Health and Social Services. This can
be a very valuable resource for health care consumers (and providers)
on the Island. Check out the Health Information Resource Centre.
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Canadian
Lung Association
"The Canadian Lung
Association is the umbrella group for the ten provincial Lung Associations.
It provides the focus for helping all Canadians to enjoy clean air
and have healthy lungs."
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Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is a federal government
agency. ACOA's goal is to improve the economy of Atlantic Canadian
communities, through the successful development of business and job
opportunities.
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Queens
Region Health: KEP proposal
"Asthma is a chronic
disorder affecting people of all ages. This illness and its treatment
have a significant impact on patients, their families and the health
care system. PEI has the highest rate of hospitalization for asthma
in Canada at three to five times that of the national average."
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UPEI
- School of Nursing
"Nursing is a unique
health profession which integrates studies in the humanities, the
social sciences and the physical sciences. Its practitioners must
display competence in cognitive processes and technical skills, personal
caring and objective thinking. Nursing involves interdisciplinary
collaboration in providing health care and promoting healthy living
for individuals, families and communities."
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Astra
Pharma Inc.
The Canadian subsidiary
of Astra AB of Sweden is among
the top six innovative pharmaceutical companies in Canada. It has
a broad portfolio of medicines to treat cardiovascular disease in
addition to expertise in treatment of gastrointestinal disease, respiratory
disease and pain control and is developing a portfolio in treatment
of diseases of the central nervous system.
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GlaxoWellcome
"Glaxo Wellcome
encompasses a diversity of countries, markets, cultures and businesses.
This overview is intended to increase awareness of the community initiatives,
processes and policies that are part of such a multinational organisation.
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For more information contact:
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